Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has granted planning permission for several major developments across the city this month.

Permission was given for a new 164-bedroom hotel, which will include a ground floor bar and restaurant, by applicant Andras House at the junction of Botanic Avenue and Donegall Pass. The site is currently a surface level car park and a retail and office unit.

The committee also approved an application for a change of use at the Adelaide Business Centre for a new leisure development. The complex will feature a bowling alley, restaurant, indoor golf, a children's soft play area, and a VR zone.

Other applications that were approved include a drive-through café on the Boucher Road near Lidl and the Olympia Leisure Centre, and a council application for street art on the façade of the former Belfast Telegraph building on Royal Avenue.

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council's Planning Committee, said: "It's further good news for tourists and visitors to Belfast to have another major hotel development approved, this time - in the Botanic area.

"This new hotel will be close to shops, bars and restaurants and other local visitor attractions like Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum. It's also walking distance to the city centre and close to Botanic station which provides public transport links to the wider city and beyond including Lanyon Place and St George's Market and Titanic Quarter and SSE Arena and Titanic Belfast, among other great attractions.

"The Planning Committee also approved a new leisure complex on the Apollo Road, Boucher, with bowling alley, soft children's play area and  indoor golf which is fantastic news for residents and families in the city."

For more information on the council's Planning Committee, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/planningcommittee